Until three years ago the survival of babies born in just 28 weeks of gestation and weighing less than 1kg was zero at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Goa medical college (GMC) and hospital, Bambolim. Today, the survival rate is 50%.

TNN | Nov 16, 2013, 01.01 AM IST

BAMBOLIM: Until three years ago the survival of babies born in just 28 weeks of gestation and weighing less than 1kg was zero at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Goa medical college (GMC) and hospital, Bambolim. Today, the survival rate is 50%.

The specialized care at the NICU has been complemented by the increase in the number of well-trained staff and with better equipment. Among the latter are radiant warmers, invasive ventilation, and embrace nest for maintaining temperature. These have helped increase the survival chances of babies born prematurely.

Dr Maria P Silveira, professor and head of the pediatrics department at GMC, during her presentation at the function to mark World Prematurity Day, said the survival rate has been achieved thanks to team work and the coordination with therapists from the neuro rehabilitation centre.

Explaining that the ultimate goal of the NICU was intact survival-babies without morbidity and disability, Silveira said, "This requires a well-equipped and well-staffed NICU, where close monitoring can detect complications early and treatment can be given effectively."

"The intervention programme by therapists at the neuro rehabilitation centre (NRC) has been of great help too," she added.

She pointed out that the implications of premature births are lung immaturity, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), increased risks of infection, birth asphyxia and intracranial bleeds.

A baby born without completing the full term of 40 weeks can have birth defects such as hearing disability and cerebral palsy.

Premature babies are also at an increased risk of developing visual problems and their scholastic performance could be below standard.

In 2012, NICU had 1,723 admissions, of which 1,574 babies survived, accounting for a survival rate of 91.3%. Whereas total preterm admissions were 463, and preterm deaths constituted 16.8%. Whereas extreme preterms-babies weighing less than a kilo-were 95 (20.5%) and total extreme preterms-babies weighing between 1kg and 1.5kg-249 (53.7%).

World Prematurity Day is celebrated on November 17, but as it is a Sunday this year, GMC celebrated it on Friday.

The function was organized in association with the Indian Foundation for Premature Babies. Among the attendees were health ministerLaxmikant Parsekar, GMC dean Dr V N Jindal, director of health services, Dr Sanjeev Dalvi, associate professor at GMC, Dr Guruprasad Pednekar, and Shamprasad Giri representing the foundation.

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